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Tulipane to retire from parks and recreation group after 10 years

National Recreation and Park Association CEO Barbara Tulipane is retiring after 10 years with the group, effective when her replacement is hired, NRPA said in a statement Monday evening.

The board of the $17 million-revenue group is soliciting proposals from executive recruitment firms to assist in the search for Tulipane’s successor, with responses dues by June 30.

“I’ve decided to step down as president and CEO of NRPA,” Tulipane said in the statement. “The time I have spent at NRPA has shown me how vital parks and recreation is to all Americans. I’m proud to have led NRPA in the fight to protect parks everywhere, to make communities more equitable and to bring the health benefits of parks and recreation to every community.”

“Barbara has been an influential leader and a powerful voice for NRPA,” board Chair Leon Andrews said in the statement.

“Under her leadership, NRPA has become a compelling force that has helped influence public policy and legislation nationally. She has brought a razor-sharp focus to the many ways parks and recreation build communities. Perhaps most importantly, she has challenged us to ensure inclusiveness and equity in all that parks and recreation does,” Andrews said.

The NRPA statement credits Tulipane with doubling the group’s revenue in her tenure and growing membership to more than 60,000 from 17,000.